WHILE WE BUILD IT, WILL THEY COME?

[March 31st] -- The start of the second season is just days away, and many questions that have surrounded the Washington Nationals this past off-season remain unanswered. Who will the owner be? Has Jim Bowden's poor personnel moves doomed the team to a last place finish? Will Washington be able to see more than just a handful of games on TV anytime soon? All of these questions, however, and many more, can be combined and asked in a different way.

What has the tumultuous off-season done to baseball in Washington?

Which RFK Stadium will greet the Nationals this summer? Will it be the one full of frenzied fans, filling every seat from the stadium's waffle-topped roof all all the way down to the lowest box seat, or will it be the half full, half-hearted stadium populated by fans with nothing else better to do on a warm summer's eve?

I'm not sure that anyone knows at this point.

The Nationals drew nearly 34,000 fans last year having little television exposure and litle more than "word of mouth" advertising to excite the community. The fans came during that magnificent first half when the team surged to a 50-31 record, and the fans came when the team fell flat on it's face, limping home with a 30-51 effort. Fans were willing to put up with the craziness because they knew, they knew, that come that fall, the team would have a stadium, an owner, a resolution to the cable tv fight and a general manager capable of putting together a team able enough to compete with the teams in the N.L. East. How have they done? With the Nationals back in D.C. this morning, the team has a new stadium to play in.

In three years.

To make matters worse, the Jack Abramoff fiasco has scared away hundreds, perhaps thousands, of ticket-buying lobbyists, shrinking the ticket base before the season even begins. But how will the Nationals' fans react to the continued uncertainty that surrounds their team? Ticket sales are down, not a lot, but their down nonetheless. When the team loses six in a row, or seven out of nine, how many fans will come to the "old lady"on a hot humid night to watch a team struggling to remain competitive?

I don't know.

it's been a several years since I've lived in Washington, but I suppose the old saying remains true: "Everyone in Washington is from somewhere else." Part of RFK will always be full of fans from St. Louis to watch the Cardinals, from Philadelphia to watch the Phillies, and from Los Angeles to watch the Dodgers. They will always be there. The Nationals fans, well, there I'm not so sure.

Most all of us didn't become baseball fans in September of 2004. No, we have been fans since we were kids, rooting on other teams in other cities. Not because we wanted to, because we had to. Many supported the Braves because they were on TBS every night. Others supported the Orioles, remembering the lyrics from a song that rocked D.C. during the last year the Senators were in Washington, "If you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with."

Many Washingtonians were Orioles' fans because it was "convenient." Those Orioles' fans, those Braves' fans who boxed up their team hats and pennants in favor of the Nats must now be wondering if it was a wise choice.

Will the fans of Washington take their anger out on the team? They won't be able to turn their collective backs on the D.C. City Council, or Bud Selig, or Jack Abramoff, or Jim Bowden, or Peter Angelos, or even Comcast Cable. But they can turn their backs on the Nationals. Oh, it won't be like that, really. But perhaps Lake Burke, or the Smithsonian, or the C & O Canal, or the battlefields of Manassas will take priority. Sure, the radio might be tuned to the Nationals' station, or they'll check the internet when they get home to see how they did, but the team won't have quite the priority that it once did.

Have you ever wondered why baseball is so important in St. Louis? Because there is nothing else to do.

I lived there for several years, and can attest to the fact that the Cardinals are it. But in Washington, there are literally hundreds of attractions to keep it's people busy. The Nationals may one day be at the top of that list, but they'll have to earn it.

And until there is an owner and a cable agreement and and new general manager and a completed stadium, we have to hope that the fans on the periphery "stay tuned."

Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and
he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

About your humble host

CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO SEE OUR HOME

I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.

Two of my six children were born with serious physical and mental handicaps, which has made my life anything but normal [don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have had it any other way]. Kendi died two years ago at the age of 20 due to a nurse's error during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so very much.

After 30 years in the business world, I have gone back to school to get my teaching degree. I am currently a junior at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

My wife Tracey and I have been happily married for 26 years. She is more than special; she is that which makes my life worth living. Without her, I'd be nothing.

I am a religious conservative, but I don't believe that my views are absolute or absolutely right. I come from a land where diverse opinions were silenced, so America's diversity of thought makes it a very special place for me.

I am a lucky man. My wife loves and respects me, and all of my children treat their father better than I treated mine.

I couldn't ask for any more.

My home town: Pocatello Idaho

Pocatello is a city of 50,000 nestled in Southeastern Idaho. Home of Idaho State University, Pocatello was founded as a railroad town in the late 1800's. Today, it is an inexpensive, safe, family-friendly place to live.

My Wife Tracey

Tracey & I have been married for 26 years. Her father was in the Air Force, and she spent much of her childhood years in foreign lands around the world. Tracey is a talented artist. She has won several blue ribbons for her porcelain dolls

Kira And Aaron

Kira and Aaron were married in 2003. She recieved her second degree from Idaho State University and works with special needs children. Aaron attends ISU and works at UPS.

Kendi

Kendi was born with severe physical and mental handicaps. Even at the age of 20, she wore a diaper, and had to be fed by her mother or I. She spent her life in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from enjoying every moment she was on the earth. She died in 2003 due to a nurse's mistake during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so much

Kristen And Mark

Kristen & Mark were Married in August, 2005. Kristen will receive her 2nd degree from BYU-Idaho in December in construction management. Mark has recently returned from an LDS church mission and will begin attending college full-time next spring

Kourtney

Kourtney will graduate from high school next spring. She has already taken several college classes. She has wanted to be a mortician since she was 12

Katie

Katie was born with the same genetic disorder as her sister Kendi, though not as severe. Katie is able to walk, even run. She cannot talk but has learned a 100 word sign vocabulary. She loves to go for long walks [I push her in a special stroller] around the neighborhood

Korth

Korth loves all sports, but excels in baseball. He has been on post-season all star teams each year he has played. He spends a great deal of time playing with his handicapped sister so that she always has something "fun" to do

Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash,
was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?